The immense variation of copiers on the market today can make deciding on one a daunting task. To ease the pain, we will break down the different types of machines available to you and describe some pros and cons.
The distinction between copy machines and printers have recently become more ambiguous. Most machines made for the office are now digital and multifunctional. They can print, copy, scan, fax, download and even email directly from the machine. Some can even store account data information, print full-bleed, sort, staple, print transparencies and even cut three hole punches. To increase productivity, we now see machines with wireless connection, image editing capabilities, biometric authentication with energy saving capacity.
For businesses today, besides owning there are economical ways to lease and have a full range of maintenance programs to limit down time and save cost on paper and toners. So when you’re comparing different copier model choices, first consider all the features that matter to you the most.
Print Speed and Volume
This is one of the most important feature to consider on a copier. Remember that PPM (Print Speed) stands for pages per minute. For business with 9 people or less (micro businesses) 27ppm will suffice but for small businesses with bigger needs you definitely need 52ppm or more.
Paper Capacity
Based on your business needs, be sure to double check the paper capacity (tray or cassette specs) and available paper sizes for the copy machine.
Scanning
Most machines made for businesses come with scanners built in. But if you do large volume scanning or double-sided scanning, look out for features like Automatic Document Feeder or Duplex Scanning abilities. Also check the Optical Resolution of the copier’s scanner, for basic scanning we recommend 600 pixels, but for graphics aim for 4800 pixels and up.
Graphics
Unless you’re planning on buying a Production Printer with 2400 x 2400 dpi with built-in color management systems, you’re okay with lower dpi’s for most office printers if your primary goal is printing documents. Feel free to contact Innovative Office Solutions to see what they would recommend for your business.
Memory
They have a mind of their own. Nearly all digital copiers today come with some type of internal memory which allow for large numbers of documents and scans. The drives are pretty similar to ones in computers and range anywhere from 256MB to 1.5BG and drive capacity can vary from 1.5GB to 1TB of storage.
Buying vs. Leasing
Should you lease or buy, that’s a big decision. You need to consider things like maintenance issues, tax incentives, costs and depreciation when trying to decide. Both options have their pros and cons, but to better understand our options it’s always good to contact the pros at Innovative Office Solutions for their professional advice and comparisons.
Maintenance and Service
Gone are the days of worrying about toner levels and performance. The worst thing you can do is tie up employees with copier issues. Service agreements today usually cover toner, drums, all parts, maintenance and repairs. Cleaning blades, rollers and other parts can also break and wear over time and should also be covered. Make sure you understand all the ins and outs of maintaining your copier, always contact the pros at Innovative Office Solutions to find out details.
Whether your leasing or buying, making a decision on a copier is not a small task, we hope this article was helpful in guiding you through the process.
For more information on this article or for any copier needs, contact Innovative Office Solutions or visit www.innovativecopiers.com and speak to professional in the field for more answers.
